Training Articles & Books/Videos Recommended
Articles
Training Sessions
We teach how to load the clicker and what using a clicker means to you and your dog. No big secret really, just means you and your dog have agreed that you will give your dog a treat ONLY when he/she has done something you have wanted. Easy enough. That means NO treats unless he has done something that YOU wanted him to. That also means that you can't CLICK if you have no TREATS. That 's it...that's the bargain...most dogs don't have a problem with a bargain of this kind. :D
This also means they become more excited when you pick up the clicker than when you pick up a bag of treats. They understand very quickly that no clicker means no treats.
Basic Obedience (puppy)
We cover any puppy issues such as house-breaking, crate training, chewing, nipping, barking etc. Plus the basic commands: sit, down, stay, come, leave it/drop it and off. All of these commands are included and we can also customize as there may be additional commands you would like to add.
The hands signals, as well as the veral command is taught and used throughout the 6 week course. We also cover when it is the right time to start weaning off the clicker/treats. We will also teach how to 'proof' your dog and what that means.
Advanced Obedience
Heeling, sit/down with distance and duration, stand and come with more distance and distraction. These sessions are also able to be customized to include other commands.
Please remember that you only get out of your dog what you put into it. So practice, practice, practice. ;)
Keep the sessions short 10-15 minutes but do them multiple times throughout the day. This keeps things moving and your dog won't get bored.
Books/Videos Recommended
Title: Eyewitness Handbooks of Dogs
Author: David Alderton
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
About: This is an all-breed quick reference book. It includes over 300 dog breeds, even some not so well known. Although brief, this book does give some very good insight into each breed. I have used this book myself many times as a starting point for more research for me personally and my clients. Quite honestly, it is one of the most used books on my shelf...and that is saying something! The author has included lovely photographs of each breed, some more than just one. Although all these dogs are beautiful, some probably weren't the* best example of the breed.
*This is just a note for those with more experience with various breeds than the average joe. :)
Title: Why Does MY Dog Act That Way?
Author: Dr. Stanley Coren
Publisher: Free Press
About: This book is well written and covers canine psychology very well. There is much to learn in this book, for the average pet owner as well as those deeply involved in any aspect of the canine world. Although some imformation may never pertain to any one individual, I found all of it to be very interesting and well worth the read.
Title: Don't Shoot the Dog!
Author: Karen Pryor
Publisher: Bantam Books
About: This book is not a "how-to" book at all. It is all about the philosophy behind the positive reinforcement training called clicker training. This book is informative, humourous and insightful. It goes beyond "dog training" and just deals with the philosophies themselves. A very good read even if you do not wish to move onto clicker training. Oh, and this philosophy can be applied to everyday situations, with or without a dog. Hahahaha!! You should read it and see how! :)
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